ARC Review: Dirty Headlines by L.J. Shen

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
 
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“If there is one thing L.J. Shen can do really well is write a dirty talking jerk that will make your panties combust.”
~ Under the Covers

I went into this book with some mixed feelings, I confess.  I have only read the Sinners of Saint series and after not falling in love with the last few I read I was prepared to take a little break from reading this author.  But really, who can resist this hot cover!  I had to know who this hero was.  DIRTY HEADLINES has a unique setting and take on a newsroom and the hero is at the very top of the food chain, even while trying to get out from under his father’s thumb.  The heroine is just trying to get into the industry while keeping a roof over her and her father’s heads and cover his medical bills.

If there is one thing L.J. Shen can do really well is write a dirty talking jerk that will make your panties combust.  Holy hell was Célian Laurent hot as they come!  Quite frankly, the hero of this story carried this book for me.  I couldn’t look away from his fascinating persona, the combination of sexy, unapologetic, dominant, alpha, HOT, intimidating, funny…. he was just delicious.

That being said, I don’t love the down on her luck heroine trope where the billionaire hero comes in and saves the day.  I probably would’ve enjoyed this book a little more if that wasn’t the case here.  There are also plenty of cliches thrown in for good measure and the basis of this whole thing relies heavily on insta-lust/love.  The things Célian does are so out of character, they can’t be all about the lust thing and I had a hard time wrapping my head around it.

Also, lets talk about the heroine a bit because she was my low point in this book.  Her and I started off on the wrong foot because she basically steals from Célian after a one night stand and I just never recovered from there.

There are still many things about this book that I enjoyed and I think most people will definitely be all over this one.  It has all the markings for a fun read.  A hero with humor, a feisty heroine, smart dialogue, and off the charts hotness.  I do think I may need to take a break from the in your face jerk because as it’s become such a popular trope, it’s starting to feel forced for me.

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Francesca

Blogger/Reviewer at Under the Covers Book Blog

I’m a 30 something sun lover currently living in Florida.I’m a book and coffee addict and lover of all things elephants.

I get easily distracted by pictures of sexy guys and have tons of book boyfriends.I keep all my alpha males chained to my basement and guard them fiercely.*Back off bitches*I like to see Jason Momoa as a lot of those boyfriends, because ….. mmmmmmm JASON.MOMOA!

I’m a part time graphic designer (yes, everything you see on UTC has been done by me), run my husband's business from home and on a good day I’m a self appointed superwoman (she who can do it all).I love blogging with my girls and I couldn’t do it any other way!My first love is everything paranormal, but in the past few years I’ve re-learned to love contemporary romance.Every once in a while I like to mix things up with a historical romance, a steampunk or an LGBT book.Because I need variety to avoid book slumps.I don’t always need an HEA although I prefer one, and I love authors that can rip my heart out and make me ugly cry.

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